Coupling means for building frameworks, racks, scaffolds and the like



Aprll 25, 1967 RIFKEN 3,315,994

COUPLING MEANS FOR BUILDING FRAMEWORKS. RACKS- SCAFFOLDS AND THE LIKEFiled June 26, 1964 1620 I B ZOZJJSLJ? fi e/z Y MAX R, Kama M UnitedStates Patent 3 315,994 COUPLING MEANS FOR BUILDING FRAME- WORKS, RACKS,SCAFFOLDS AND THE LIKE Louis L. Rifken, 122 S. Grove, Elgin, Ill. 60120Filed June 26, 1964, Ser. No. 378,163

. Claims. (Cl. 287-535) This invention relates to improvements incoupling means for building frameworks, racks, scaffolds, and the like.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a coupling unitadapted to interlock and couple two or three framework members, pipes,or the like, in a positively locked position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling unit formed ofa pair of members pivotally connected and pivotally adjustable, each ofsaid members forming a socket for removably receiving a frameworkstructure, with said members having means for forming a central socketto receive a framework structure positioned transversely of said firstmentioned framework structures.

Another object of this invention is to provide a coupling unit formed ofa pair of pivotal members adjustable to form various desired angularpositions so that the framework members may be coupled and clamped inany desired angular relationship. The coupling unit may couple two orthree framework members.

Other objects will become apparent as this description progresses.

111 the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the coupling unit of this invention,showing same coupling two tubular frame work members substantially atright angles to each other.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing same coupling three tubular members.

FIG. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a view partly in section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is an elevational view showing the members pivoted to a differentangular relationship than that shown in FIG. 1 and coupling a pair offramework members, and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the pivotal members, the otherpivotal member being of identical construction.

The coupling unit generally indicated at 10 is formed of a pair ofpivotal members 12 and 12 which are of identical construction. Each ofsaid members is integrally formed, preferably of a sheet steel or sheetaluminum, which may be shaped by a die or forming member to the shapeshown, so that each member has a generally U- shaped configuration intransverse section having spaced side walls 14 and 16 connected by thecurved arcuate connecting wall 17. This forms a pocket or socket 19 and19', respectively, in each member for each removably re ceiving aframework member or pipe P1 and P2. The side wall 14 continues outwardlyto form an extension 18 of the side wall. The opposite side wall 16 alsohas an extensoin 20 formed as a continuation of the side Wall 16,however, said extension 20 is offset inwardly with respect to its sidewall. The said opposed extensions 18 and 20 are inclined inwardly andeach is provided with an opening 22 and 24, respectively, which openingsare adapted to be alined. A shoulder 26 is formed in the side wall 16 bythe otfset extension 20 and said shoulder forms a stop for engagement bythe outer angular edge 28 of the adjacent extension, as will bedescribed. The side walls 14 and 16 are each provided with asemicircular recess or cutout 30 and 32, respectively, on its forwardedge. The

said recesses are aimed. The side wall 14 is provided with an inclinededge 34, and side wall 16 is provided with a similar inclined edge 36.The two identical members 12 and 12' are pivotally secured together, aswill now be described.

The two members 12 and 12 are positioned relative to each other so thatthe inwardly offset extension 20 of one member is positioned adjacentthe extension 18 of the other member. A transverse pin or connector 38extends through the alined openings 22 and 24 of both members. The pin38 has grooves 44] adjacent its opposite ends to receive locking washers42. This pivota'lly secures the two members to each other. It will beseen that the two members can be adjusted relative to each other tochange the angular relationship. The inward pivoting of the two members12 and 12' with respect to each other is arrested when the inclinededges 34 and 36 abut each other, as shown in FIG. 1, in which positionthe pipes or framework members P1 and P2 would be at right angles toeach other. The two members 12 and 12 may be pivoted in the oppositedirection from that shown in FIG. 1 until the side edge 28 of theextension 18 of one member engages the shoulder 26 of the other member,which serves to stop the outward pivotal movement.

The transverse pin 38 is provided with a threaded bore 44 to accommodatea threaded bolt 46 which is adapted to extend through the threaded boreand to engage a framework or pipe member P3, as will be presentlydescribed. A clamping bar, generally indicated at 48, is secured to thethreaded bolt 46. The clamping bar is likewise formed of a sheet springshaped to the configuration shown in the drawings, so that it is of agenerally U-shaped configuration in which the sides or legs 50 extendoutwardly of the central portion and are curved outwardly to form acurved portion 52 and then are turned inwardly in a curved portion as at54 and then are curved outwardly as at 56 to form outwardly turned edges58.

The clamping bar 48 is provided with a central opening 60 in the centralportion to accommodate a threaded bolt 46, the head 60 of which ispositioned against a washer 62, which in turn rests against the centralportion of the clamping bar. A helical spring 64 surrounds the bolt 46and has one end positioned against the undersurface of the clamping barwith the opposite end of the spring resting against the transverse pin38. The spring 64 tends normally to urge the clamping bar 4-8 in adirection away from the transverse pin 38. However, when the threadedbolt 46 is threaded inwardly into the transverse pin it moves theclamping bar inwardly into engagement with the framework members P1 andP2 for the purpose of clamping same. It will be seen that the spacedlegs 5'0 of the clamping bar are positioned between the side walls 14and 16 of the .two IIlBIllgbflI'S 12 and 12 and that the legs of theclamping bar engage the framework members P1 and P2 in clampingposition.

When the two members 12 and 12' are positioned in the position shown inFIG. 1, in which the angled edges 34 and 36 abut each other, the twosemi-circular openings 30 and 32 of the two side walls 14 .and 16 form acircular opening 66 which is alined with a similar circular opening inthe opposite two side wall to form a pocket or socket 68 for removablyreceiving a framework member P3.

As shown in FIG. 1, the two framework members P1 and P2 are held inclamping position, one framework member being perpendicular to theother. The clamping bar 48 has the outermost portion of its legs fromthe bend 54 to the outer end extending substantially parallel with thelongitudinal axis of the framework members P1 and P2 which it engageswith its outer edge 58, digging into and engaging the framework member.The members 12 and 12' are positioned so that the inclined edges 34 and36 abut each other. The circular opening 66 formed by said members formsthe pocket or socket for removably receiving framework member P3, theaxis of which extends transversely to the axis of the pockets or sockets19 and 19.

FIGS. 2 and show an arrangement in which one framework member P1 isperpendicular to the other framework member P2, with the legs of theclamping bar 48 engaging said framework members and with the thirdframework member P3 extending transversely of the framework members P1and P2 and secured within the circular central socket 68 and held inplace by engagement of the threaded bolt 46. It will be seen that inthis arrangement the transversely extending framework member P3 is notin engagement with either of the other two framework members and doesnot depend upon its secured position by any engagement with the othertwo framework members. The central socket 68 formed by the twosemi-circular cutouts encompasses the transversely extending frameworkmember P3- and same is secured in such central socket by virtue ofengagement with the threaded bolt 46.

The pivoting action of the two members 12 and 12' permits the pockets 19and 19' to be positioned relative to each other in an unlimited numberof angular positions other than perpendicular, for example, asillustrated in FIG. 6. In these various angular positions the frameworkmembers are clamped in locked position, the clamping bar serving toprevent relative pivotal movement between members 12 and 12 while theclamping bar is in clamped position. Thus, after the members 12 and 12'are positioned in their desired angular relationship, the clamping bar48 is moved inwardly through the bolt 46. The clamping bar will engagethe framework members, locking the framework members in their socketsand simultaneously prevent any relative movement between members 12 and12'. When the members 12 and 12' are positioned as shown in FIG. 6, thecentral socket formed by the semi-circular openings is not circular.This will permit it to accommodate a framework member of a largerdiameter than that capable of being accommodated in the circular socket68. It also permits the central socket to accommodate a piece of wood ora plank such as used in forming a sawhorse.

It will be understood that various changes and modifications may be madefrom the foregoing without departing from the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A coupling unit comprising a pair of pivotal members pivotallysecured together by pivot means, each said pivotal member having asocket, a framework member supported in each said socket, each saidpivotal member having a generally semi-circular shaped recess with thesemi-circular recesses forming a third socket for supportin g aframework member, the third socket extending transversely to the axes ofthe first two sockets, clamping means attached to said pivot means, saidclamping means including at least two resilient members, each of thesaid first mentioned sockets receiving an end of one of said resilientmembers to engage the framework members in the first mentioned socketsto clamp said framework members in clamping position.

2. A structure defined in claim 1 in which the flexible spring clamp issecured to the pivot means by a member which engages the frameworkmember in the third socket to clamp said framework member in clampingposition.

3. A structure defined in claim 1 in which each of the pivotal membershas a generally U-shaped configuration in cross-section to each hold atubular framework memher.

4. A structure defined in claim 1 in which each of the pivotal membershas spaced side walls connected by an arcuate connecting wall to holdtubular framework members.

5. A structure defined in claim 1 in which the pivotal members may bepivotally adjusted and secured in clamping position relative to eachother.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,566,171 12/1925Spurr 182-484 2,132,285 10/1938 Brown 182-186 2,941,618 6/1960 Larson182F486 3,195,938 7/1965 Rifkin 2'87--54 3,216,752 11/1965 Rifkin 28754CARL W. TOMLIN, Primal Examiner.

W. L. SHEDD, Assistant Examiner.

1. A COUPLING UNIT COMPRISING A PAIR OF PIVOTAL MEMBERS PIVOTALLYSECURED TOGETHER BY PIVOT MEANS, EACH SAID PIVOTAL MEMBER HAVING ASOCKET, A FRAMEWORK MEMBER SUPPORTED IN EACH SAID SOCKET, EACH SAIDPIVOTAL MEMBER HAVING A GENERALLY SEMI-CIRCULAR SHAPED RECESS WITH THESEMI-CIRCULAR RECESSES FORMING A THIRD SOCKET FOR SUPPORTING A FRAMEWORKMEMBER, THE THIRD SOCKET EXTENDING TRANSVERSELY TO THE AXES OF THE FIRSTTWO SOCKETS, CLAMPING MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID PIVOT MEANS, SAID CLAMPINGMEANS INCLUDING AT LEAST TWO RESILIENT MEMBERS, EACH OF THE SAID FIRSTMENTIONED SOCKETS RECEIVING AN END OF ONE OF SAID RESILIENT MEMBERS TOENGAGE THE FRAMEWORK MEMBERS IN THE FIRST MENTIONED SOCKETS TO CLAMPSAID FRAMEWORK MEMBERS IN CLAMPING POSITION.